We’re going back in time for whatever reason. Slower planes for whatever reason. Someone smarter than me gets it but I don’t. Tell me how is this possible.

Honestly brother, I would not wanna be flying a 40yo E-6 at 25–40 degrees of bank angle just above stall speed for hours on end. I know we’re supposed to be excited about the C-130’s austere airfield chops, but I think pilot pucker factor should also be an important metric 😂

The E-6 can deploy the long trailing wire for the VLF antenna, but it requires it to be flown at that bank angle at near stall speed on the jet. The C130J is just better suited for that particular job. E6 is Jack of all trades, master of none.

The Navy used to fly C-130's for the TACAMO mission. They're easier to support world-wide and speed isn't much of an issue when your radio signal goes around the entire world.

Slower planes are better at loitering and the c-130 is a work horse

whatever gets AE041C out of the air quicker

It’s like no one listened to the news report 🫠

Yeah because ethy literally fly in a circle with a vertical wire and a slow stall speed is really important there. They can com with subs across the world so they don’t have to fly far

How many times have you flown a J model...exactly...

You unfollowed me? I’m disappointed. Tell me how many times you’ve flown a J model.

Qatar has no 747 left to give

Electronics are a whole lot smaller and lighter than they used to be.

Blimey. Still making them.

Mr. @thenewarea51 I have a question. Since TACAMO is moving to C-130s, won't they need to be located closer to the sea? which means we here in OKC will likely be losing our Navy unit at KTIK?

C-130s being more ubiquitous might help the TACAMO planes hide in plain sight better 🤷🏻‍♂️

On a positive note, the E-6A crews will join the long distinguished tradition of getting a ride home from the Boneyard in a C-130.

Reliability matters.

That’s what she said!

Technology has increased range in equipment and has reduced their size. I guess having to move fast from one point to another is no longer such a high priority

This is a mission that can be easily hosted on P-8 or even raw 737 airframes. Definitely step backwards in capability.

A few years back an E-6A guy described to me how they flew the TACAMO mission and I actually said "Why'd you ever get rid of the Herks?!"

I’ll be gentle here… please pause to consider the vast importance of planes that can loiter. Think information and strategy, not just sex appeal and attack.

I accidentally saw the last landing of Concorde at Heathrow. I was going round the M25 & the whole motorway just stopped. I was quite emotional when she came over & down. That was my thought then.

Agree

Jets burn fuel faster it's how they do

Going back in time the C-130 is one of most successful airframes ever fucking built, doesn't need a prepared runway can come to a full stop in 800 feet on any type of surface and can fly in all weather, i think i should know i spent 24 years as a HC/MC-130 loadmaster in the USAF

Functions that dont require speed, but do require endurance

You need slow for TACAMO. The E-6 has to fly near stall buffet to deploy the antenna.

Better to have more options for landing

I don’t get it either. Slower to get on station, at a lower altitude. P-8 or KC-46 would have been a better choice. Parts available everywhere and much more conducive to crew communications.

Gots to save money for expensive stealthy crap from the same MIC outlet.

I don't get it either

Kind of buried in the other answers, but to summarize, the faster aircraft is better for transit to the operating area but much worse at the altitudes and speeds required once IN the operating area.

The USN wanted a four engine aircraft. FULL STOP.